Author's Note:
So, I have decided to start posting a new story. I'm basically writing while posting, so I can't guarantee regular updates and also don't know exactly where this story is going- well, I knew, but it somehow decided to rather write itself- kind of.
This is my first long fanfiction ever, so please be kind and REVIEW! :)
Unfortunately, I still don't own Merlin. Or rather luckily, depending on how you see it :D.
This is set after 4x07, so there are some spoilers until then. Just so you know, I'm planning this to be a reveal fic.

Summary:
Villages are being attacked, a disease is spreading and a couple of sorcerers are planning revenge... shortly after Arthur is King, nothing works out anymore. When Arthur, Merlin and the knights ride to aid the villages, they get soon caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Is the new King up to this challenge, especially with Merlin in doubts about his secret? Or will they finally be defeated? And what's Morgana doing, anyway?

„Merlin!"

The call echoed through the corridors of Camelot, letting the maids and servants speed up to get away from its origin. No one wanted to encounter the young king when he was in such a bad mood.

Merlin put aside the armor he had been polishing and got up with a heavy sigh. Arthur had already shooed him around the whole morning. So much to his hopes that after Gaius' rescue and his apologize, Arthur would probably be a little nicer. Not even to mention the friend-thing.

"Merlin! Where the hell are you?"

Better not to let Arthur wait too long. With another sigh, Merlin left the armor to find out what was wrong this time.

"Merlin!", his master shouted for the third time when Merlin entered.

"No need to yell like that. I'm not deaf."

Maybe soon, if this keeps going on.

"What have you been doing that long?"

Arthur stood- only wearing his black trousers- next to a tub with bathwater Merlin had prepared earlier. The servant shot his master an irritated look.

"Ah, now, let me think. I only washed your clothes, tidied up your room, wrote your speech to the farmers, made you a bath, sharpened your sword and when you called I was polishing your armor. Really, nothing to do at all. I think I'm becoming a bit bored."

"Well, you definitely spent too little time with my bath. Perhaps I should give you more work, to prevent you from getting any more bored" Arthur replied unaffected.

Merlin pressed his lips together, trying to calm his anger. If Arthur was in that bad mood, maybe he had a plausible reason. Or it's just the normal king-behavior.
He shook his head slightly.

"What's wrong with that bath? And what's wrong with you, anyway?"

His master glanced at him surprised.

"Didn't I say that? It's already gone cold", he answered, ignoring the second question.

Merlin took a closer look at the king, taking in the slightly pale skin and dark circles under Arthur's eyes. Yes, something definitely bothered him.
Arthur avoided his gaze and turned to the window.

"What are you waiting for? That water won't be getting hotter by staring at it."

Merlin knew he shouldn't do this, but he had so much work to do- even without Arthurs moods- and then it would be so much easier just to...
He almost grinned ironically as he concentrated on the bath. There was a golden flash in his blue eyes and suddenly the water started bubbling and steaming.
Arthur wasn't the only one to hide something.

"It is already hot."

His master turned around and stared disbelieving at the hot water, then at Merlin.

"What the..."

He was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Arthur shot Merlin another sceptical glance and then shook his head.

"Come in!"

The door opened softly and a young serving boy entered. He glanced through his blond hair shyly at Arthur, bowed quickly and examined his brown shoes. Merlin could only choke down a grin at Arthur's expression.

"What's it this time?", the king asked, his voice and face now carefully blank.

Merlin's smile faded. Arthur sounded a bit too serious. Maybe he would know soon what had caused the kings bad mood.
The boy reddened and looked even more like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. His eyes scurried to Merlin. Arthur followed his gaze.

"Don't worry, Merlin can be trusted. He won't tell anyone. So now, was is it?"

The boy bowed again.

"Your uncle, Sir Agravaine, told me to get you. Another village has been plundered and there's also a new disease spreading. He's awaiting you in the Council Chamber."

Another village? So that was the reason of Arthur's crossness. Suddenly everything became clearer. But why hadn't he heard of it? Or, more precisely, why hadn't Arthur told him? After all they were almost friends, and friends told each other everything.

Merlin nearly started to laugh. What was he thinking? After all, Arthur wasn't the secret warlock who had lied to all his friend since he knew them and besides killed the former king.
Oddly enough he still felt a little bit hurt.

That doesn't mean he couldn't tell me. And I'll tell him about this whole magic thing soon. When the circumstances are better. When I know Arthur will forgive me.

But he knew it was just an excuse for his fear. Arthur now knew he hadn't killed Uther deliberately, he knew there was someone helping with magic and he had even called Merlin his friend.
Though that was the point. He couldn't – wouldn't – loose his best friend. Even if that meant lying.

"I'll be there as soon as possible. And get Gaius. He will want to know about this."

With another bow and a small "Yes, sire." The servant was gone. Arthur just stood there watching the door, obviously thinking. Merlin felt strangely lost next to the once again cold bath.

"It wasn't the first village."

Arthur looked up, almost a little guilty- but only almost since it was Arthur –yet didn't answer. It hadn't been a question anyway.
When he finally spoke, his voice was still lacking every emotion, making Merlin's spin crawl.

"The first one has been attacked a few weeks ago. Since then there were 3 or 4 others plundered. They have nothing in common, despite the fact that they're all in the south."

Arthur shook his head as if he could shake the bad news off like water and gave the bath a last regretful glance before turning back to Merlin.

"Seems like I won't have time for a bath soon. You can tidy it all up."

And with that he was gone, leaving a rather frustrated Merlin behind.

Arthur actually did feel a little guilty.

Not because he hadn't told Merlin before- his light-hearted servant would probably have ridden right to the village and risked his life to help the people- but because now Merlin knew. And given the look in his eyes he would ride there as soon as possible. The king silently cursed. So now- against his original plans to tell Merlin he would go to a meeting and find an excuse to leave him at Camelot- he had to take his servant with him.

Not only his servant, but also his best- and only- friend, maybe even the only one he still trusted with a traitor and perhaps a sorcerer hanging around at Camelot.
And Arthur was putting him in danger again.

He felt another pang of guilt.

Although with his luck Merlin would probably fall down the stairs and brake his neck while I'm away. He really is the most clumsy and the worst servant the world has ever seen.

And lately even more than else.

Arthur allowed himself a little sigh, then he banned all emotions from his face as he entered the Council Chamber. Whatever he felt, the others must still see a strong and self-controlled king.

Agravaine was sitting alone at the long table, his fingers tapping nervously on the wood. When he saw Arthur, he stood abruptly and- with an almost invisible bow- rushed towards him.

"Arthur! I'm really sorry for the bad news."

The young king didn't react, but examined his uncle closer.

Why does he sound so pleased?

Agravaine stopped, raising one eyebrow. "Is everything alright?"

He is my uncle, Arthur reminded himself, he is the brother of my mother. He would never betray me. And that incident with Gaius was only a mistake. I should really forgive him.

He shook his head slightly.

I'm truly starting imagining things .

Loud he said: "Yes, I'm just tired. Those bandits seem to be a bigger problem than we thought."

Agravaine smiled understandingly. "It must be hard to be king. All the pressure, all that hopes lasting on you..."

He led Arthur to his place and sat down next to him. "Maybe we should send another few of your knights. Sir Leon, or Sir Gwaine-"

"There's no need to do this" Arthur interrupted him.

For a moment Agravaine looked almost shocked. "But Sire..."

"I'm thinking of going there myself" Arthur explained, "the boy said they attacked another village?"

Agravaine relaxed a bit. "They have indeed. The fifth this month. And with that disease spreading... Maybe you shouldn't go. It might be dangerous and we cannot risk your life for a few farmers."

Arthur stiffened. He's just worried about you. Calm down. "They aren't only a few farmers. They are my people and I am their king. It's my duty to protect them" he said firmly, "but if it's any consolation, I'll take some of my best knights with me."

There was a short knock at the door.

"And Gaius will also accompany us" Arthur adjusted as the court physician entered, "He can take care of the illness and, if needed, of us.

I hope you don't mind going on a journey for a while?", he asked Gaius.

The physician bowed briefly. "Would be my pleasure, Sire."

Arthur gave him a little smile. At least a second person I can trust with my life.

"Agravaine will tell you more. I'll be back soon to discuss the route."

Both men bowed, their smiles rather exerted, and Arthur hesitated briefly.

Sooner or later, they will have to get along with each other.

So he only nodded and left the Chamber. Maybe the time would suffice for a bath before they left.

"Merlin!"

Why does he always seem to be yelling for me?, Merlin wondered. He was- perhaps for the first time this morning- just sitting on his bed, skipping through the pages of the magic book. After all, when they rode to the village he wanted to help as much as he could, so he had to know a little more about fighting and healing with magic. And even if he couldn't actually try the spells before they left, hopefully knowing the theory would suffice.

If I just had more time... if I had known earlier. Why does Arthur always have to make things more complicated?

Merlin startled when the king stormed in- as always without knocking- and quickly pushed the book under his blanket. Talk of the devil.

Arthur stopped right in front of Merlin and stared at him unbelieving.

"Why- what are you doing there? I thought you had so much work to do?"

Merlin took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. The king mustn't how he had shocked his servant.
Unfortunately, if Arthur's gaze meant anything, he wasn't very successful at hiding things- how he had managed to stay hidden for so long only god knows.

"What's the matter with you lately?"

Merlin cursed silently. "What do you mean?"

His master threw his hands in the air.

"What I mean? You're behaving strangely, that's it! You always seem to be away- and don't even dare to tell me you're in the tavern!- or break off what you're doing when I'm arriving and look at me exactly like now- guilty and unsure or sometimes even scared! No, don't try to deny any of this-" He cut off Merlins attempt to speak up. "And don't tell me excuses- I just want to know the truth!"

Arthur stopped, breathing heavy. Merlin watched him with round eyes.

He's almost sounding disappointed or hurt.

That was what scared him even more than the words. Arthur was always angry or demanding, sometimes even sad or gentle- but he was always in control. The strong king. There was no way he could be... like... hurt, especially not by Merlin. After all, they were little more than servant and master. Sure, Merlin spoke of Arthur as a friend, but he had never quite seen it the other way round. And it really wasn't reassuring. He only felt more guilty.

And have I really been that mysterious? Apparently.
Arthur was still waiting for an answer Merlin couldn't yet give.
The young warlock carefully avoided Arthur's gaze, examining the floor instead. Nevertheless the words almost got stuck in his throat.

"I- I'm fine."

He glanced up quickly at Arthur, seeing just the briefest flash of disappointment before normal "King" Arthur returned.

"If you say so..."

Merlin nodded, wanting to convince himself it was the right thing to do as he wanted to convince Arthur. The king just shrugged, but his eyes said something different.

This isn't over yet. And I will have my answer soon enough.

Merlin's eyes darted back to the floor (why had he never noticed how interesting wood could be?).

"I want you to stay at Camelot."

Arthurs words broke the beginning silence abruptly. Despite his intentions Merlin lifted his look once more. "What- ?"

"The villages. I want you to stay here when we ride there", he explained impatiently.

"No way!" They gazed at each other.

Was this a sort of strange punishment? But it normally wasn't Arthur's style.

"It'll be dangerous."

"Not more than for you."

Arthur gave him an incredulous look. "I think I still am the better fighter."

"But you are the king. No one will want to attack a servant."

Arthur didn't look very convinced. "Even if they don't want to, with your love for trouble..."
He didn't have to finish.

Merlin opened his mouth indignantly. "It's not that I like being in trouble. It just... happens."

Arthur shook his head, almost smiling. "That's exactly what I mean."

Merlin closed his mouth shut. After all it was kind of true. Even if they had skipped the part of Arthur bringing Merlin in this trouble and Merlin rescuing both of them.
Arthur's smile quickly developed into a smirk, one of these nasty ones he kept for special occasions- mostly giving Merlin a really horrid order.

"If you want to accompany us, you'll have to do the whole work for the knights and me."

Merlin relaxed. He was used to hard work, that was something he could handle easily enough.

"And you won't stray around alone or take part in the fights."

He jumped up. "But-" ...how will I protect you if I have to stay away from the fights?

"That's an order, Merlin. Take it or stay here."

Arthur's smile became wider and wider. Merlin shook his head, half laughing half angry.

"You really are a prat."

"Just keep quiet, will you? Now, are you staying?"

Merlin smirked right back. "Never."

Arthur shrugged. "Will be all the more fun for us."

His servant sighed heavy and Arthur grinned almost guiltily- but only almost. "It was your decision.
Anyway, why are you still standing here? Shouldn't you be busy packing?"

With a last smirk at Merlin's gaze he left. His servant stared behind him in disbelieve.

"Prat."